In Best Women’s Erotica of the Year, Volume 4, award-winning editor Rachel Kramer Bussel has gathered the hottest sexy stories starring outspoken women who daringly pursue love and lust. You’ll read about a single mom who goes back to college and gets some very hands-on education from her hot professor, an Amish woman tenderly revealing her most intimate desires, and a woman who crafts the man of … the man of her dreams. From outsiders who lustily claim their place without apology to women taking the boldest of risks with their hearts and their bodies, these sizzling stories are sure to make your heart pound. Featuring stories by popular authors including Alyssa Cole, Megan Hart, Tamsen Parker, Sofia Quintero and Alessandra Torre, along with a variety newcomers to the genre, these tales will turn you on and stay with you long after you’ve finished.
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I really enjoyed this anthology. There’s something for everyone.
There were plenty of new-to-me authors in this one and I found some new ones to follow. The heat level is different in each story but there is some beautiful erotica here. Great compilation.
It’s no secret that I am a big fan of Rachel Kramer Bussel. Besides being a superb writer and essayist, the woman knows how to put together an erotic anthology that keeps me turning pages, and Best Women’s Erotica of the Year Volume 4 did just that.
Published by Cleis Press, this collection features stories with a common theme: outsiders and risk. In the forward, Ms. Bussel explains why she chose this particular motif:
“The first three volumes of Best Women’s Erotica of the Year didn’t have official themes, but when I was compiling Volume 4, I decided I wanted stories on the themes of Outsiders and Risk. While on the surface, those may seem incongruous, both spoke to me regarding current events and seemed urgently relevant. At a time when outsiders of many kinds are being ostracized, discriminated against, and shunned, I wanted to explore what being an outsider feels like on a deeply personal level. I always want the authors I publish to turn readers on, but this time, I also want to make you think.”
The stories in BWE Volume 4 did indeed make me think, but they also made me smile, made me quiver, and maybe even caused a hot flash or two (or three, but who’s counting). While I found something to enjoy in each short, three in particular stood out and quickly became my favorites. In order of appearance:
“Take the Shot” by Mica Kennedy – Delightful from start to finish. Nina is a kick ass heroine, and I was only too happy to see her get what she wanted, (but didn’t know she deserved).
“The Dressing Room” by Alessandra Torre – Delicious and naughty, with an ending that made me go back and read the entire story again!
“The Pick-Me-Up” by Suleikha Snyder – Ms. Snyder’s expertly rendered characters leapt off the page straight into my brain. Simply breathtaking.
I give this remarkable collection 5 stars. If you’re looking for well-written, inspired erotica featuring believable characters and oh-so-hot sex scenes, this is one you don’t want to miss.
An enticing mix of tales that are both sensual and thought-provoking.
This was my first foray into reading the Best Women’s Erotica of the Year. I downloaded it to read Alessandra Torre’s snippet called The Dressing Room. Then I kept going from there and read the other author’s contributions. There is a little bit of everything in here for readers. It kind of felt like being in a sex club where you’re walking down a long hallway made of nothing but glass and you get to look into each room along the way and watch different scenes being played out. Some are very intriguing and you want to linger there longer, some you view briefly and keep going. All were steamy and hot and left me wanting much more!
Some of the authors I’ve read, a lot I have not, but now that I’ve experienced some of their writing, I want to go find more! And since I didn’t discover this anthology until Volume 4, I definitely need to go back and check out the first 3 volumes!
The thing that I love about the Best Women’s Erotica books is that they defy convention. Yes these are Erotica, and they are written by women and those who idenify as woman, but they defy formula and allow woman of all walks of life to be thier sexual selves.
*I received a free copy of this book which I voluntarily chose to write an honest review for.
I have to say that the title of this anthology pretty much tells you all that you need to know. This book is just full of short steamy scenes that will either float or boat or they will not depending on what happens to work for you. It definitely contains an eclectic mix of scenes that has something for just about anyone and if one does not work for you just skip to the next one which may better suit your tastes. I really liked it so I give it 4/5 stars.
A great read
The theme of this Rachel Kramer Bussel anthology is ‘Outsiders who take Risks.’ This is a very erotic and and quite enjoyable collection of how taking those risks can often pay off, emotionally and sexually for the risk takers and their recipients.
There is literally something in this collection for just about anybody who reads and has a libido. The stories are all written to a very high standard. I think any reader that starts to read this book will find many things that will delight them.
I hope that an audio book version of this collection will soon follow, hopefully narrated by Rose Caraway. Sometimes the whole is more than the sum of its parts. I have found that the collaboration between Rachel Kramer Bussel and Rose Caraway can create a truly magical mix, one which I hope continues for a long time.
Best Women’s Erotica of the Year, Volume 4 is part of a series of short-story collections released every year. A multitude of stories are submitted for consideration by a variety of authors and 20 made the cut. Writer and editor, Rachel Kramer Bussel has organized a wide range of erotic romance pieces into this anthology that are sure to speak to a variety of readers. According to the book’s introduction, this is the first time that an official theme has been showcased in this series. The theme is “Outsiders and Risk”. Rachel Kramer Bussel writes that current events in the world make these 2 elements incredibly relevant. She wanted characters who may be considered as “outsiders” to be celebrated in this anthology instead of ostracized. The characters in this collection are trying things that are new to them and taking control of their own sexuality: embracing sexual fluidity, exploring kinks and fetishes, taking full advantage of unexpected opportunities. They are taking risks despite the fear, pushing past boundaries set by themselves and others, confronting the unfamiliar and finding self-acceptance, trust and healing in the process. Written by women, about women, and for women, this book has something to satisfy everyone. A few of the pieces were a bit over the top for me personally but I enjoyed much of the book. My favorites might not be your favorites, but the diverse range is the beauty of this collection. Highly erotic with plenty of substance. Check it out.
Thank you to the following for permitting me access to an advance reader’s copy (ARC) of Best Women’s Erotica of the Year Volume 4. This generosity did not impact my honesty when rating/reviewing.
Source: NetGalley
Author: Rachel Kramer Bussel
Publisher: Cleis Press
Genres: Erotica, Romance
Pub Date: December 11, 2018
No romance